Has Detroit Lions Quarterback Matthew Stafford Reached A Plateau?

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2012-2013

Following the remarkable 2011 season, Lions fans were hungry entering 2012. With anticipation at an all-time high and the Motor City rumbling once again, the wheels would eventually come off the hype train.

Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Stafford finished the season with 20 touchdown passes, a huge drop compared to the 41 he threw in 2011; 17 interceptions, one more than 2011, and second most in his career since his rookie season; 4,967 passing yards on 727 attempts, and a QB rating of 79.8, the lowest since his rookie season.

Detroit would ultimately finish the season at 4-12, and for the first time in his young career some people began to question the abilities of Matthew Stafford.

In 2013, things seemingly only got worse for the Highland, Texas native. It was throughout that season that Stafford struggled with his decision making and protection of the football. He threw 19 interceptions that year, and a few at very costly times.

There was more than one instance where a late game turnover at the hands of Stafford would cost Detroit the win, and the Lions would end up finishing the season a very disappointing 7-9 after an impressive 5-3 start.

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